The Welsh drives-maker Invertek Drives has achieved the milestone of selling more than one million variable-frequency drives worldwide since its was founded in 1998 by a group of former Control Techniques employees. The company is currently producing more than 160,000 drives per year at its headquarters in Welshpool, with output growing by more than 20% each year.

“It is still hard to believe that we have just sold our one millionth variable-frequency drive,” says sales and marketing director, Rhydian Welson. “We have worked hard over the years to develop partnerships both in the UK and overseas which enables us to sell our products in more than 80 countries worldwide.”

To meet the growing demand for its products, Invertek and the Welsh Government are investing around £5.6m in a new 5,000m2 factory, being built next to its current HQ, which will allow it to produce more than 400,000 drives a year. The new facility, due to open in 2018, will also boost Invertek’s capacity to produce higher-power drives.

The company also needs extra space to expand its operations and increase efficiencies. It expects to create 30 new jobs when the new facility opens, rising to 50 when production ramps up to full capacity.

Invertek's Rhydian Welson: it’s hard to believe

“I’m sure we will be celebrating our two millionth sale in no time at all,” says Welson.